Species giant elephant's ear
green foliage and stems

giant elephant's ear

Colocasia gigantea 'Thailand Giant Strain'

Giant Elephant's Ear (Colocasia Gigantea 'Thailand Giant Strain') is a beautiful and dramatic plant that will draw the eye to any landscape. It stands out with the oversized leaves that can reach up to two feet long. These massive green leaves feature long stalks that can be supported with frames in order to display their beauty. The powdery greyish green veins serve as a pleasing contrast to the emerald hue. This plant is also incredibly impressive due its striking white and purple veins that contrast perfectly with the green leaves. Not only can Colocasia Gigantea 'Thailand Giant Strain' add a stunning dimension to gardens, but it is also able to thrive in both full sun and partial shade. For these reasons, it's no wonder that Giant Elephant's Ear is one of the most amazing plants of all time.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Air Layering Propagation,Stem Propagation,Offsets,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

8 - 10

Flowers:

Yellowish-white Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Tropical:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Watering for giant elephant's ear plants should be done once to twice on a weekly basis, and each watering should be deep enough to moisten the soil. The soil should generally remain moist throughout the growing season, but not overly soaked. During periods of extreme heat or drought, giant elephant's ears may need to be watered more frequently. Bottom-watering is ideal, as it eliminates the need to constantly check the soil moisture content. When hand-watering, use room-temperature water and thoroughly water the soil.

sunlight

Giant elephant's ear needs plenty of sunlight for optimal growth, at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight a day. This plant grows best in the warmer months from late spring through summer, when the sun is at its highest and temperatures are highest. From late summer through winter, it should get indirect sunlight from a nearby windowsill or other bright spot.

pruning

For the giant elephant's ear, pruning should be done in the spring and summer. Prune back just the tips of growing stems to encourage healthy, bushy new growth and help contain the plant’s size. Depending on the size of the plant, you may want to prune up to 1-third of the plant. Pruning is important to help to maintain the size and shape of the giant elephant's ear.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Giant elephant's ear typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Giant elephant's ear typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map